If I learned anything from the trip last week. Was, that nothing can take the place of seeing the Grand Canyon with yur eyeballs. Nothing can compare. At times, I would start to take a picture and then think, no way I can capture this vision I'm seeing. But , u have super great pictures. Keep it coming.

This is the photo of my map for this area. It is from the Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlas. After formatting the memory cards for both cameras before the trip I shot this photo. That way I didn't have to carry the map book and could access this photo from either camera. All of the light green is National Forest. You can camp anywhere and there are quite a few overlooks/points you can reach without entering the National Park. Does anyone know if that shortcut between Swamp Point and Point Sublime actually exists? It doesn't look like it on the aerial photos. This map shows the 22 turning into the 422, but it is signed 22 through all of that.

I park the bike at the point after riding down the path and turning around in a small sloping clearing at the edge. I did this last year by accident. I can't claim ignorance this time, but there are certainly no signs prohibiting it.

I enjoy a nice long lunch all alone. I saw one other vehicle on these dirt roads today (Monday). This is the spot I wanted to camp.

Cliffrose

Cliffrose

As much as I complained about the weather earlier, I was actually blessed with beautiful clouds and light for photographs. At least I didn't have these boring clear skies the whole four days.

I left Crazy Jugs and cut across the 272 to get back to the 22. The 272 has a nice little climb, which would be pretty easy, but there is a nasty hairpin to negotiate with a loose and rocky surface. I stayed onthe gas and it felt much easier than last year. The rest of these roads are nice and smooth.

Forests and Meadows

For the first time ever I had to wait in line to enter the park at the North Rim. It's pretty unusual here. I think it had more to do with the work pace of the fee collector/greeter than the number of visitors.

I took the ride out to Cape Royal again.

Struck a Super Hero Pose

And got my photos of Angel's Window (in very boring light).

A way over-processed HDR version. I know it's icky, but I like.

I spent another one and a half hours walking out to the points and ate another small meal. I was nearly back to the parking lot when I ran into the two guys I met in Fredonia! I took the unpaved roads, and wasted another 2.5 hours at the points and I beat them here! I WON!

Ron from Amity, Oregon (left) and Bill from Portland, Oregon (right)
Both guys were very friendly and Bill could talk your ears off. They are members here that rarely post. I was glad to meet them and chatted like a little schoolgirl after being alone for several days straight. They are out exploring the country with no time limit. I can only dream...

Bill's BMW X-Country
I like these bikes. It certainly looks the business with TKCs.

Ron's Ducati Multistrada
I'm not a big fan of the Multistrada styling. I do dream of owning a Ducati someday. Ron said that's what he used to say.

I get out to Toroweep a couple times a year...the big silt bed before the Ranger cabin..prolly still has an impact crater from me goin' down on the GSA...it was fixed up last time I was there..but the others farther along towards the rim..seem to get longer and longer..

Great Photos..

I got shots of Rafters there too!! and some of the same angles on the canyon..turned them black and white...

Cheers

__________________"Ignorance is a powerful tool when applied at just the right time..sometimes even surpassing knowledge.." EJ Potter

I ended up having a good time even though this trip didn't turn out as planned.

This picture speaks so many words to me...the solitude was welcome, you're eager to see your family, slightly meloncholy, a touch proud of your new camera and svelte new figure, a hint of regret that somebody didn't go along with you on this one.

Well done, my friend.

I think I need to finish a report of my own...

Thanks, Dave!!

__________________
Be sure the safest rule is that we should not dare to live in any scene in which we dare not die. ~Lewis Carroll~

Great pics! We were just ridn' and camping on the north rim just last week.

Is this near Uncle Jim's point about 5-6 miles hike from the North Rim Vistors Center? I camped there about 10 years ago, tent looks to be in almost the same spot too!
There was a storm up canyon that day, and the wind was howling down the canyon like crazy. And yet the wind on the rim was calm. Best sleep I had in years on that spot with the pitter patter of a light rain on the tent.